Saturday, June 8, 2013

Book Review: Cross the Ocean by Holly Bush

Hi all,

I love novels by author Holly Bush. She writes some of the
best historical romances I've ever read. If you haven't read a novel by Ms.
Bush, please pick one up. You will not be disappointed. Having said that, you
won't be surprised that I have given Ms. Bush's latest novel, Cross the Ocean a five star review.
Here is more about her lovely novel and my review.

Cross the Ocean

Holly Bush

Book Description:

1871 . . . The very proud Duke of
Wexford was about to have his orderly world blown apart. At the age of
twenty-four, Blake Sanders had wed a beautiful, dutiful wife and she had borne
him three children. But now as mid-life approached, the Duchess had the unheard
of temerity to leave him! Too mortified by her behavior to mix in ton company,
Blake sought companionship with his best friend and neighbor, Anthony
Burroughs, and his wife Elizabeth. But Blake had forgotten the Burrough’s were
entertaining a houseguest, Elizabeth’s distant cousin, a spinsterish ‘Amazon
from America’.

Gertrude Finch, a champion for women’s rights, had long ago decided most men
were useless other than Uncle Fred who’d raised her on his horse ranch near
Chicago. While traveling with other Suffragists, Gert lectured women on the
perils of passion and the value of independence but thought of neither when
Blake kissed her. While opposite in nearly every way, other than an attraction
neither could deny, their one night of passion would change her world, and send
Gert scurrying her way back home across the ocean.

When Blake discovered his heir had stowed away on Gert’s ship, he set out on
his own adventure to America, to bring the boy home and to see Gert once again.
Traversing America’s vast wilderness, Blake discovered that Gert had changed
his life. Whether riding the rails or meeting common folk, Blake saw a whole
new way of living but most of all, he realized something about love. He found
he was not immune, and his heart could love, and love deeply.

When you read a novel by Holly Bush, you are swept back in
time and immersed in the lives of the vividly written characters from the
start. The time period, as well as the people, come alive and allow your
imagination to conjure up each scene as if you are watching a movie. This is
true of all Ms. Bush's novels, and especially of her latest novel, Cross the Ocean.

In 1871, two very different people meet and clash, yet
cannot deny their attraction to each other. Brit Blake Sanders, The Duke of
Wexford, meets American Gertrude Finch, and is immediately annoyed by the loud
mouth, American Amazon woman. Gertrude, a woman raised on a ranch and a
proponent for women's rights, finds Sanders to be an arrogant and pompous
Englishman with no goal in life other than to be waited on. Yet, even as they
argue, they find they are drawn to each other. Gertrude does, however, adore
Sanders' children and is especially close to his oldest daughter. When
circumstances become complicated, Gertrude goes home to America, and soon Blake
finds himself crossing an ocean to find her.

Cross the Ocean is
a beautifully written tale of love when opposites attract. The characters are
realistic and well-developed and you find yourself falling in love with each
and every one of them. I have to say, I've read all of Ms. Bush's novels and
this one is my favorite. Gertrude and Blake are characters you won't soon
forget. This novel is historical romance at its finest!

About the Author:

Holly Bush was born in western Pennsylvania to two avid
readers. There was not a room in her home that did not hold a full bookcase. She
worked in the hospitality industry, owning a restaurant for twenty years and
recently worked as the sales and marketing director in the hospitality/tourism
industry and is credited with building traffic to capacity for a local farm
tour, bringing guests from twenty-two states, booked two years out. Holly has
been a marketing consultant to start-up businesses and has done public speaking
on the subject.

Holly has been writing all of her life and is a
voracious reader of a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, particularly
political and historical works. She has written five romance novels, all set in
the U.S. West in the mid 1800's. Holly has also completed a women's fiction
novel and is currently writing a second. She frequently attends writing
conferences, and has always been a member of a writer's
group.

Holly is a gardener, a news junkie, was a member of her
local library board for years and loves to spend time near the ocean. She is the
proud mother of two daughters and the wife of a man more than a few years her
junior.

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Welcome!

I write sweet and spicy romances and heartfelt women's fiction novels. I've even written one middle-grade novel that will take you on the adventure of a lifetime.

I am an avid reader and love to support authors. Please take a moment to visit my book pages above to learn more about my novels. Also, take some time to leaf through the pages of my blog and read reviews of my favorite books. There are so many amazing authors and I love sharing their books with you.

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Thanks for dropping by.

Deanna

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